06 August 2007

Faith or Fear?

Ok, I'm going to risk offending someone, but this is my blog, so I can express my thoughts, and if you can add any insight to counterpoint to this, I welcome it.
That said...today I realized evangelical christians scare the crap out of me! Seriously! I am a firm believer in balance; that any extremes are bad. And these people are definately the extreme. I had Jehovas Witnesses at my door...thankfully they left with a simple "I'm sorry, but I don't believe the same things you do and I really don't have the time to get into a discussion about it." I've actually gotten into religious discussions with these people before...and had an older man shake my hand & left respecting me despite the fact that I'm Catholic. But what really disturbed me was the fact they were dragging their children around with them. Little kids, no more than 10 and as young as about 6, dressed in long sleeves & trousers (or skirts) on a humid 90+ degree day, while all the other kids are running around playing & swimming. Is this the self-sacrifice God expects of us? Somehow, I don't think so.

Then I had to satiate my curiousity and watch the documentary "Jesus Camp". Wow...talk about scary! These evangelical Christians are only perpetuating fear in children. They are teaching them ridiculous things like "there is no such thing as global warming". Ok, its one thing to argue creationism vs. evolution (a pointless argument to me as I believe they go hand in hand) but its another thing to say global warming is a lie. What?? Are you kidding me? (Watch "An Inconvenient Truth" please!) They are teaching kids that God allows us to hate anyone who doesn't believe what they believe. They are telling kids things like"Harry Potter is evil & would be killed if this was during the Old Testament". Uh...hello....have you actually read the Old Testament? 1. Taught in parables. 2. If you are going to say that is the teaching of the Bible to believe then you sure as heck better not be eating an shellfish or certain meats either. People, you don't get to pick & choose which parts of the Bible suit your needs! And by virtue of calling yourselves "Christians" that means you believe in Jesus Christ, and therefore the teachings of the New Testament...stories of love & kindness & forgiveness. Jesus embraced the outcasts for a reason...to show love to ALL. *sigh*

I truly believe our American media perpetuates fear. These people simply live by it, and unfortunately, are breeding a new generation with fear AND hate.
Update: I feel like I have to say, so I don't sound like a hypocrite...I don't expect others to believe what I believe. That's why I welcome any opposing views...or support.

5 comments:

Kimmer said...

Wow. Even when Rich was a minister, the Jehovah's Witlesses didn't leave without trying to pick a faith battle.

I honestly see mankind's relationship with God as being parent/child. When God first introduced him/her-self to them, he treated them like toddlers. "Don't do this", "Don't do that". "If you touch the stove, you'll get burned, so I'm going to slap your hand when I see you reach for it until you learn" -kind of a mentality.

When the Jewish people had matured enough (Jesus wasn't a 'Christian', per se-- he was foremost a Jew), God sent the Son to give them a new set of rules which built upon or superceded the existing set. More like, "OK you're old enough to cook your own mac and cheese, just remember that the burners are hot and you can really hurt yourself" -like you do when your kid get to be 12-13 years old.

I find that the right-wing, evangelical faction out there are still stuck in the toddler stage and just can't fathom a more adult relationship with God.

I feel very sorry for them and sorrier yet for the people that their oppressive religion damages. How many people do we know who have sworn off a church relationship with God simply because what they've known in the past has caused them more pain and depression than it's been uplifting and life-affirming?

Of course, this is only MY opinion and I'm sure that when I pass into the great unknown I'll be looking at the Pearly Gates from AFAR.

Kassi Gilbert said...

Caleb and I are evangelical Christians...I hope we don't scare you. ;)

Kimba said...

Kim...I'm with ya!
Kassi...you guys are so NOT like these people! Faith, bible study, spreading the word of God...all good things. These people are extremists. I believe you can go too far with anything and many peoples religious beliefs can border cultism. You are NOTHING like that! I hope I didn't offend.

Kimba said...

Kim...I'm with ya!
Kassi...you guys are so NOT like these people! Faith, bible study, spreading the word of God...all good things. These people are extremists. I believe you can go too far with anything and many peoples religious beliefs can border cultism. You are NOTHING like that! I hope I didn't offend.

Kimmer said...

Kassi--

You and Caleb study the Bible, question what you believe, and seek a closer realtionship with God.

You are not blindly quoting scripture assuming that you know it all when you haven't taken the time to learn anything.

You and Caleb TOTALLY do not scare me, rather -- you impress me.